Kit for inflating and repairing inflatable articles, in particular tyres

ABSTRACT

A kit for inflating and repairing inflatable articles, in particular tires, the kit having a compressor assembly, a container of sealing liquid and connectors for connecting the container to the compressor assembly and to an inflatable article for repair or inflation; the compressor assembly being housed in an outer casing defining a seat for the container of sealing liquid. The container is housed removably in the seat and functionally connected to the compressor assembly so as to form a compact unit ready for use.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a kit for inflating and repairinginflatable articles, in particular, tyres.

BACKGROUND ART

Sealing liquids for fast repair of inflatable articles are known. Theliquid is fed into the article for repair by means of compressed air,e.g. by means of a compressor, penetrates any holes or slits in thearticle, and sets on contact with air, thus rapidly sealing the article.

Such liquids are widely used for fast tyre repair, to which thefollowing description refers for the sake of clarity and purely by wayof example.

Vehicle spare wheels pose a number of well-known problems, not least ofwhich are their considerable size and weight.

More specifically, if the wheel is housed inside the vehicle, normallyin a compartment to the side of or beneath the boot, the capacity of theboot is greatly reduced, and the tyre is difficult to remove, especiallywhen the boot is full.

Conversely, if stowed outside the vehicle, normally in a compartmentbeneath the floor, or attached to the rear door, the wheel can easily bestolen and is still not easy to remove.

Given the good road conditions in most countries, punctures are nowrare, so that changing a wheel can prove extremely difficult, if notimpossible, on account of the bolts being locked tight, and in any caseis awkward by being performed in critical conditions (traffic, poorlighting, bad weather). Considerable advantage is to be gained,therefore, by replacing the spare wheel with a repair and inflation kitcomprising a small compressor and a container of sealing liquid, whichcan be stowed easily in a special compartment or in the boot of the car.

In addition to the big reduction in size and weight, puncture repair isalso made faster and easier: as opposed to changing the wheel, thecompressor is simply connected to a current outlet on the vehicle, thecontainer of sealing liquid is connected to the compressor and to thevalve of the tyre for repair, and the compressor is started to feed theliquid into the tyre. For this purpose, the container normally has adispenser unit comprising an inlet conduit and an outlet conduitconnected respectively, by respective conduits, to the compressor andthe valve of the tyre for repair.

The container and the compressor are normally separate parts that mustbe connected prior to use, and which at most are housed for convenienceinside the same holder.

This therefore involves additional work prior to use.

In one known solution, the container is fitted permanently to thedispenser unit, which incorporates a sealing device. The container, initself open, is therefore undetachable from the dispenser unit.

Another drawback of this solution is that, when the use-by date of thesealing liquid expires, both the container and the dispenser unit mustbe replaced, thus increasing cost.

In another known solution, the container itself is sealed, e.g. by asealing membrane, which is split when the container is fitted to thedispenser unit. This means also the dispenser unit must be fitted to thecontainer just prior to use, thus making additional work.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a kit for repairingand inflating inflatable articles, designed to eliminate theaforementioned drawbacks typically associated with known kits.

According to the present invention, there is provided a kit forinflating and repairing inflatable articles, in particular, tyres; thekit comprising a compressor assembly, a container of sealing liquid, andconnecting means for connecting the container to the compressor assemblyand to an inflatable article for repair or inflation, and beingcharacterized by comprising an outer casing housing said compressorassembly and defining a seat for the container of sealing liquid, saidcontainer being housed removably in said seat, and by comprisingconnecting means for stably connecting said container to said compressorassembly, so that the container, when housed in said seat, is maintainedfunctionally connected to said compressor assembly.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A preferred, non-limiting embodiment of the present invention will bedescribed by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings,in which:

FIG. 1 shows a view in perspective of a repair kit comprising acontainer of sealing liquid and in accordance with the presentinvention;

FIG. 2 shows a partly disassembled view in perspective of the FIG. 1kit;

FIGS. 3 and 4 show a rear view and underside view in perspectiverespectively of the FIG. 1 kit partly disassembled;

FIGS. 5 and 6 show sections, along line V-V in FIG. 2, of the containerand a dispenser unit of the FIG. 2 kit assembled together;

FIG. 7 shows a schematic of a pneumatic circuit connected to the FIG. 2kit dispenser unit.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Number 1 in FIGS. 1 to 4 indicates as a whole a kit for fast repair ofinflatable articles, in particular, tyres.

Kit 1 substantially comprises an electric compressor assembly 2; acontainer 3 of sealing liquid; a first hose 4 connecting container 3 tocompressor assembly 2; and a second hose 5 connecting container 3 to avalve (not shown) of the tyre.

In known manner not shown, compressor assembly 2 comprises an electricmotor and a compressor—powered by the electric motor—which are housedinside an outer casing 6.

Casing 6 is substantially parallelepiped-shaped and, at one longitudinalend, defines a seat 7 for housing container 3 upside down. Morespecifically, seat 7 is bounded laterally by a substantiallysemicylindrical end wall 10 of casing 6, and at the bottom by a circularbase 14 projecting from end wall 10.

Container 3 comprises a vessel 15, preferably in the form of a bottle,containing the sealing liquid and having an externally threaded neck 16defining an opening 17 (FIGS. 5 and 6); and a valve device 18 housed inopening 17. Valve device 18 forms an integral part of container 3, toensure the container is closed fluidtight when detached from the rest ofkit 1, as explained in detail below.

Valve device 18 comprises a body 19 having a cylindrical lateral wall20, of axis A, inserted in fluidtight manner inside neck 16, and aportion 20 a of which extends beyond neck 16, into vessel 15, and isclosed at one end by an end wall 21.

Portion 20 a has two circumferential series of holes 24, 25communicating with the inside of vessel 15, spaced axially apart, andlocated close to end wall 21 and close to neck 16 respectively.

Body 19 of valve device 18 also comprises an inner member 26 defined bya tubular rod 27 of axis A, and by a supporting ring 28 fixed inside anopen end of body 19 and connected integrally to tubular rod 27 by anumber of spokes 29 forming a number of axial passages 29 a.

Rod 27 has a first end portion 27 a close to end wall 21, and aconveniently flanged second end portion 27 b projecting axially outwardsof body 19, and defines internally an axial passage 27 c.

Valve device 18 comprises a tubular slide 30, which slides axiallyinside the annular chamber 36 formed between body 19 and rod 27. Slide30 is maintained in an axial stop position against end wall 21 by ahelical spring 31 compressed axially between slide 30 and supportingring 28.

Slide 30 has a circumferential series of holes 32 formed at an outerannular groove 33 dividing the slide into two portions 37, 38. Slide 30also comprises two pairs of outer, axially spaced sealing rings(O-rings) 34 a, 34 b and 35 a, 35 b, which are housed in respectiveannular seats and form a sliding seal between slide 30 and body 19. Thetwo pairs of O-rings 34 a, 34 b and 35 a, 35 b are located on axiallyopposite sides of holes 32. More specifically, O-rings 34 a, 34 b arecarried by portion 37 facing end wall 21, and O-rings 35 a, 35 b arecarried by portion 38 facing end portion 27 b of rod 27. In said axialstop position of slide 30, O-ring 34 a is located between holes 24 andend wall 21; O-ring 34 b is located between holes 24 and holes 32;O-ring 35 a is located between holes 25 and holes 32; and O-ring 35 b islocated on the axially opposite side of holes 25 to O-ring 35 a.

Portion 37 of slide 30 slides in fluidtight manner on rod 27, preferablywith the interposition of an O-ring 38 a on rod 27. Portion 38 of slide30 is larger in inside diameter than rod 27, and defines with rod 27 achamber 39 open towards the flanged end portion 27 b of rod 27 andcommunicating with holes 32.

Kit 1 also comprises a dispenser unit 40, which is housed stably butdetachably inside a recess 44 in base 14 of casing 6, and is connecteddetachably to container 3 to fit it, upside down, to casing 6 (FIGS. 1,5 and 6).

More specifically, dispenser unit 40 substantially comprises a plug-likecentral portion 45 having a substantially cylindrical lateral wall 46and an end wall 47, which define an internally threaded cavity 48 intowhich neck 16 of vessel 15 is screwed; and a circular flange 68extending radially from central portion 45 and defining a bayonetconnection with corresponding fastening means 49 in base 14 of casing 6.

Dispenser unit 40 also comprises a first tubular fitting 50 projectingradially from central portion 45 and defining a conduit 51 communicatingwith and radial with respect to a bottom portion 52 of cavity 48; and asubstantially pipe-like second tubular fitting 53 projecting radially,close to end wall 47 of central portion 45, in a radial directionperpendicular to that of first tubular fitting 50. Second tubularfitting 53 defines a conduit 54 communicating coaxially with bottomportion 52 of cavity 48.

When container 3 is screwed into dispenser unit 40, end portion 27 b oftubular rod 27—possibly fitted with an annular sealing member 69 on theend—cooperates in fluidtight manner with end wall 47 of central portion45, so that the internal axial passage 27 c of rod 27 communicates withand substantially constitutes an extension of conduit 54 (FIGS. 5 and6).

Base 14 has lateral openings (one shown in FIG. 4) through whichfittings 50, 53 are accessible from outside casing 6, once dispenserunit 40 is bayonet connected inside recess 44 in base 14, e.g. byrotating it 45° with respect to the FIG. 2 insertion position.

First fitting 50 is connected to hose 5, which, when not in use, may bewound about the casing and housed inside a peripheral groove 56 in thecasing; and second fitting 53 is connected to compressor 2 by hose 4.Conveniently, hose 4 is longer than required for connection to fitting53, and is fitted on its free end with a fast-fit, e.g. lever-operated,coupling 58. Hose 4 is therefore normally connected to second fitting53, but can be detached easily and connected directly to the article,e.g. a tyre, ball, dinghy, etc., if this simply needs inflating and notrepair. Hose 4 is normally stowed almost entirely inside a seat 59formed on the underside of casing 6, from which it extends along anunderside groove 60 housing the end portion of hose 4 fitted withcoupling 58.

Second fitting 53 is located at a different height from first fitting50, so as to avoid any interference with hose 5 wound about casing 6.

Compressor assembly 2 has an electric power cable 61 fitted on the endwith a connector 62 for connection to a current outlet on the vehicle.Cable 61 is normally housed in a seat 63 formed in a portion of casing 6opposite seat 7 for container 3, and connector 62 is stowed inside acavity 64 in seat 63. Compressor assembly 2 is conveniently providedwith a gauge 65 and a switch 66.

Kit 1 and particularly container 3 operate as follows.

Kit 1 is an integrated preassembled unit, which is supplied ready foruse as shown in FIG. 1.

To repair an inflatable article, e.g. a tyre, hose 5 is simply connectedto the tyre valve, and compressor assembly 2 activated.

The air pressure along hose 4, fitting 50, and internal passage 27 c ofrod 27, is transmitted to the end of annular chamber 36, and exertsthrust on the end surface of slide 30 adjacent to end wall 21.

Slide 30 therefore moves, in opposition to spring 31, from the FIG. 5rest position to the FIG. 6 position, in which O-rings 34 a, 34 b areinterposed between holes 24 and holes 25, and O-ring 35 a has moved pastholes 25, so that holes 32 in slide 30 communicate with holes 25.Compressed air therefore flows through holes 24 into container 3, whichis therefore pressurized, so that sealing liquid flows through holes 25and holes 32 into chamber 39 in slide 30, and is fed along fitting 50and hose 5 to the tyre.

Device 18 therefore acts as a two-way, two-position, pneumatic valve. Inthe closed position (FIG. 5), the container is sealed; with pressurealong the feed line defined by hose 4, device 18 opens automatically toallow compressed air into container 3, and simultaneous outflow ofsealing liquid.

The advantages of kit 1 according to the present invention will be clearfrom the foregoing description.

In particular, kit 1 is a compact, integrated unit that can be stowedready for use, with no additional work required, other than connectionto the vehicle electric system and to the tyre.

Container 3 with an integrated valve device 18 constitutes anindependent sealed unit, regardless of whether or not it is connected todispenser unit 40.

After use, or when the sealing liquid use-by date expires (normallyafter a few years), only container 3 need be replaced. That is,dispenser unit 40 need not be replaced, and may be left permanentlyinside casing 6.

Using a two-way valve device 18 closed stably in the absence of pressurealong the feed line 4, sealing liquid leakage is prevented, even inabnormal conditions, such as overpressure in container 3 caused by hightemperature inside the boot of a car parked in the sun.

Using a valve device 18, container 3 is ready for use at all times, i.e.fitted permanently to kit 1. Container 3, in fact, is sealed butoperated immediately in response to turning on the compressor.

Unit 40 is preferably detachable from casing 6 and carried by container3.

Clearly, changes may be made to kit 1 as described herein without,however, departing from the scope of the accompanying Claims.

In particular, FIG. 7 shows a diagram of a pneumatic sealing liquiddispensing circuit 80 comprising a three-way, three-position valve 81, aconduit 82 connected to second fitting 53, and an additional hose 83connectable to the tyre. Valve 81 is input connected to the compressorof compressor assembly 2, and is output connected to conduit 82 andadditional hose 83.

Valve 81 is controlled by a hand-operated selector 85 located on casing6 and cooperating with an on-switch 86 of compressor assembly 2. In use,selector 85 defines a disabling position, in which on-switch 86 isdisabled and compressor assembly 2 cannot be started, thus preventing itfrom being turned on accidentally; and a first and second enablingposition, in which on-switch 86 is enabled to start the compressor. Morespecifically, in the first enabling position, valve 81 is switchedautomatically to connect the compressor to dispenser unit 40 via secondfitting 53 and disconnect additional hopes 83; and, in the secondenabling position, valve 81 is switched automatically to connect thecompressor to additional hose 83 and disconnect dispenser unit 40.Additional hose 83 is housed in casing 6, and enables compressorassembly 2 to be used quickly and easily to inflate a flat tyre.

Pneumatic circuit 80 and hose 5 may also be connected to one or morehand-operated relief valves 87, to prevent overpressure in conduit 82and hoses 5 and 83, or, when the compressor is off, to accurately adjustthe pressure of the inflatable article as required.

The end of hose 5 connected to the tyre may be fitted with a non-returnvalve, to prevent sealing liquid leakage when hose 5 is detached fromthe tyre.

Container 3 may also be connected to casing 6 by a click-on couplingacting in a direction parallel to axis A.

1. A kit for inflating and repairing inflatable articles; the kit comprising a compressor assembly (2), a container (3) of sealing liquid, and connecting means (4, 5) for connecting the container to the compressor assembly (2) and to an inflatable article for repair or inflation, and being characterized by comprising an outer casing (6) housing said compressor assembly (2) and defining a seat (7) for the container (3) of sealing liquid, said container (3) being housed removably in said seat (7), and by comprising container connecting means (4, 40) for stably connecting said container to said compressor assembly (2), so that the container, when housed in said seat (7), is maintained functionally connected to said compressor assembly (2), said kit further comprising an additional hose (83) cooperating with said inflatable article; and a three-way valve (81) input connected to said compressor assembly (2), and output connected to said container (3) and to said additional hose (83) to direct a stream of compressed air selectively to said container (3) or to said additional hose (83).
 2. A kit as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that said connecting means comprise a compressed-air feed line (4) for feeding compressed air from said compressor assembly (2) to said container (3); said container (3) comprising a vessel (15) having an opening (17), and a valve device (18) fitted in fluid-tight manner to the opening (17) and having an inlet (27 c) connectable to said compressed-air feed line (4), and an outlet (29 a) for the sealing liquid.
 3. A kit as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that said valve device (18) comprises at least one control member (30) movable, in response to pressurization of said compressed-air feed line (4), from a closed position, closing said valve device (18) and in which said inlet (27 c) and said outlet (29 a) are isolated from the inside of said container (3), to an open position in which said inlet (27 c) and said outlet (29 a) communicate with the inside of said container (3).
 4. A kit as claimed in claim 3, characterized in that said valve device (18) comprises elastic means (31) for keeping said control member (30) stably in said closed position in the absence of pressure to said inlet (27 c).
 5. A kit as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that said container connection means comprise dispenser unit (40) connectable detachably to said container (3) and having an inlet fitting (53) connected in fluid-tight manner to said inlet (27 c) of said valve device (18), and an outlet fitting (50) connected in fluid-tight manner to said outlet (29 a) of said valve device (18).
 6. A kit as claimed in claim 5, characterized in that said dispenser unit is detachable from said casing.
 7. A kit as claimed in claim 6, characterized in that said seat (7) comprises a base portion (14) having fast-fit fastening means (49) by which to secure said dispenser unit (40) to said casing (6).
 8. A kit as claimed in claim 7, characterized in that said fastening means (49) comprise a bayonet connection.
 9. A kit as claimed in claim 7, characterized in that said fastening means comprise a fast-fit click-on coupling.
 10. A kit as claimed in claim 5, characterized in that said dispenser unit (40) comprises a cavity (48) to which is fitted a neck (16) of said container (3) in an upside down position; said neck (16) defining said opening (17).
 11. A kit as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that said three-way valve (81) is controlled by a selector (85) which can be set to a disabling position, in which operation of said compressor assembly (2) is disabled; to a first enabling position, in which operation of said compressor assembly (2) is enabled, and said container (3) is connected fluidically to said compressor assembly (2); and to a second enabling position, in which operation of said compressor assembly (2) is enabled, and said additional hose (83) is connected fluidically to said compressor assembly (2).
 12. A kit as claimed in claim 11, characterized in that said connecting means comprise a compressed-air feed line (4) for feeding compressed air from said compressor assembly (2) to said container (3); said container (3) comprising a vessel (15) having an opening (17), and a valve device (18) fitted in fluid-tight manner to the opening (17) and having an inlet (27 c) connectable to said compressed-air feed line (4), and an outlet (29 a) for the sealing liquid.
 13. A kit as claimed in claim 12, characterized in that said valve device (18) comprises at least one control member (30) movable, in response to pressurization of said compressed-air feed line (4), from a closed position, closing said valve device (18) and in which said inlet (27 c) and said outlet (29 a) are isolated from the inside of said container (3), to an open position in which said inlet (27 c) and said outlet (29 a) communicate with the inside of said container (3).
 14. A kit as claimed in claim 13, characterized in that said valve device (18) comprises elastic means (31) for keeping said control member (30) stably in said closed position in the absence of pressure to said inlet (27 c).
 15. A kit as claimed in claim 11, characterized in that said container connection means comprise dispenser unit (40) connectable detachably to said container (3) and having an inlet fitting (53) connected in fluid-tight manner to said inlet (27 c) of said valve device (18), and an outlet fitting (50) connected in fluid-tight manner to said outlet (29 a) of said valve device (18).
 16. A kit as claimed in claim 15, characterized in that said dispenser unit is detachable from said casing.
 17. A kit as claimed in claim 16, characterized in that said seat (7) comprises a base portion (14) having fast-fit fastening means (49) by which to secure said dispenser unit (40) to said casing (6).
 18. A kit as claimed in claim 17, characterized in that said fastening means (49) comprise a bayonet connection.
 19. A kit as claimed in claim 17, characterized in that said fastening means comprise a fast-fit click-on coupling.
 20. A kit as claimed in claim 15, characterized in that said dispenser unit (40) comprises a cavity (48) to which is fitted a neck (16) of said container (3) in an upside down position; said neck (16) defining said opening (17).
 21. A kit as claimed in claim 11, characterized in that at least one of said connecting means (4) and said additional hose (83) is connected to a relief valve (87).
 22. A kit as claimed in claim 11, characterized in that said connecting means (5) comprise a non-return valve.
 23. A kit as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that at least one of said connecting means (4) and said additional hose (83) is connected to a relief valve (87).
 24. A kit as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that said connecting means (5) comprise a non-return valve.
 25. A kit as claimed in claim 1 wherein said additional hose (83) when not in use is housed in a peripheral groove (56) at least partly surrounding the outer casing (6).
 26. A kit for inflating and repairing inflatable articles; the kit comprising a compressor assembly, a container of sealing liquid, and conduits connecting the container to the compressor assembly and to an inflatable article for repair or inflation, said kit further comprising an outer casing housing said compressor assembly and defining a seat for the container of sealing liquid, said container being housed removably in said seat, and additionally comprising a container connecting conduit connecting said container to said compressor assembly, so that the container, when housed in said seat, is maintained functionally connected to said compressor assembly, said kit further comprising an additional hose cooperating with said inflatable article; and a three-way valve input connected to said compressor assembly, and output connected to said container and to said additional hose to direct a stream of compressed air selectively to said container or to said additional hose.
 27. The kit as claimed in claim 26 wherein at least one of said conduits connecting the container to the compressor assembly and said container connecting comprises a hose.
 28. A kit as claimed in claim 26 wherein said three-way valve is controlled by a selector which can be set to a disabling position, in which operation of said compressor assembly is disabled; to a first enabling position, in which operation of said compressor assembly is enabled, and said container is connected fluidically to said compressor assembly; and to a second enabling position, in which operation of said compressor assembly is enabled, and said additional hose is connected fluidically to said compressor assembly.
 29. A kit as claimed in claim 26, wherein said valve device comprises at least one control member movable, in response to pressurization of said compressed-air feed line, from a closed position, closing said valve device and wherein said inlet and said outlet are isolated from the inside of said container, to an open position in which said inlet and said outlet communicate with the inside of said container (3).
 30. A kit as claimed in claim 26, wherein said valve device comprises a spring for keeping said control member stably in said closed position in the absence of pressure to said inlet.
 31. A kit as claimed in claim 26 wherein said additional hose when not in use is housed in a peripheral groove at least partly surrounding the outer casing. 